How to fill out a Section 8 application form online

Is completing a HUD application the same thing as filling out a Section 8 application form?

A Section 8 application form is what tenants are referring to when they call it a, "HUD application. Technically, there is no such thin as a HUD application. HUD is the government entity that provides funding for the Section 8 rental assistance program and other low income housing programs in the United States. Over a certain amount, HUD will add income even if the Section 8 tenant does not receive any interest income from, for example, a bank account. HUD calls this "imputed income from assets" and, in the case of a bank account, HUD establishes a standard "Passbook Savings Rate" to calculate the imputed income from the asset. By increasing the amount of a tenant's total income, the amount of imputed income from assets may affect a tenant's assigned portion of rent. The PHA pays the landlord the remainder of the rent over the tenant's portion, subject to a cap referred to as "Fair Market Rent" (FMR) which is determined by HUD. Those that are looking to apply for housing and are seeking a HUD application, are really trying to find an open Section 8 waiting list online.

Does the Fair Housing Act have anything to do with the Section 8 application form?

No. The Fair Housing Act and logo distinguishes companies and landlords that are advocates of fair housing.

To support the fight against discrimination, this website and it's employees are advocates of the Fair Housing Act of 1988, and therefor display the Fair Housing Logo. All landlords that list properties here are expected to be as well. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 establishes an administrative enforcement mechanism, provides stiffer penalties than the present act, and expands its coverage to include disabled persons and families with children. The act, among its more important provisions: bars discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of a disability, and requires the design and construction of new covered multifamily dwellings to meet certain adaptability and accessibility requirements
bars discrimination in the sale or rental of housing because there are children in a family, but exempts housing for older persons, e.g., Section 202 housing
modifies the definition of a discriminatory housing practice to include acts of interfering, coercing, threatening or intimidating a person in the exercise or enjoyment of his/her rights as protected by Sections 804, 805 and 806 of this act. These conditions apply to any renter, not just a tenant that has completed a Section 8 application.

Each year, the federal government looks at the rents being charged for privately owned apartments in different communities, as well as the costs of utilities (heat, electricity, etc.) in those communities. The Fair Market Rents are an estimate of the average gross rents (rents plus utilities) for medium-quality apartments of different sizes in a particular community. As an example, 2012 FMR for 1 bedroom housing in San Francisco is $1,522 and in New York is $1,280 while in many other places it is less than $500. Section8programs.com allows their clients to list their properties for free. The landlord cannot charge a Section 8 tenant or anyone that has completed wants to apply for Section 8 online, more than a reasonable rent and cannot accept payments outside the contract. In addition, landlords, although required to meet fair housing laws, are not required to participate in the Section 8 rental assistance program. As a result, some landlords will not accept a Section 8 tenant. The Section 8 and Subsidized Housing Online Packet can show everyone how to apply for Section 8 and other low income programs via updated links and instructions.

Is this for a voucher or a low income housing application? No. The Section 8 and Subsidized Housing Online Packet is an information retrieval service that helps it's members find links to various rental assistance program. The Housing List Blog, which is unique to the Online Packet, allows landlords and tenants to find each other online. The Online Packet is in no way affiliated with HUD or the United States government.
Find information about all types of Section 8 rental assistance programs and low income housing programs for the states below with your Online Packet.
Every member will have indefinite access to this packet for the purpose of learning about government programs they may also apply for. Rental listings for every U.S. state are also included. The Online Packet found on Section8programs.com has information to educate landlords and tenants about various government housing programs and how to become involved in them. In most cases, potential applicants are able to locate a free Section 8 application online with their packet.

View the Section 8 and Subsidized Housing Online Packet for information on how housing programs work. The Online Packet was invented by Hiram Lewis and Section8programs.com. The Section 8 Consolidation Program is the information retrieval portion of the Online Packet. It's is a great tool for finding open Section 8 waiting lists, applications and landlords or tenants online. This product is provided by a private entity and has no Federal affiliation.

Completing a Section 8 application online is the first step in applying for a low income and subsidized housing program. HUD, which is the government organization Housing and Urban Development. HUD allocates funds to housing authorities that administer the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program locally. Section8programs.com is not affiliated with the government, but does help potential applicants find out when and where there are open waiting list so they can apply for Section 8 online. The biggest problem is that the program itself is is so over run by applicants during these difficult times. So many are in need of housing and want to know how to apply for section 8 online. Section 8 or a low income housing applications are simply descriptive terms to describe housing that is intended for those less fortunate and in need. Family Unification vouchers are issued when there is a lack of decent and safe housing for a family due to a separation, or threat of imminent separation. Family Unification vouchers make it possible for these families to obtain affordable and sanitary housing.

So where can I find a Section 8 application form?

The only time anyone can fill out a Section 8 application, is when there is an open Section 8 waiting list. Housing authorities will post notices when they are accepting Section 8 applications. It is always free to apply for Section 8 online or in person.
The laws which govern the Section 8 housing program are meant to ensure that the rent you pay is affordable to you. That is why the rent you are charged is set according to your income.
When you move in and at once every year after that, the Housing Authority will determine your rent based on a combination of how much you earn, how much the landlord charges and how much you pay for extra costs, such as utilities and medical expenses.
With a few exceptions, your rent will be set between 30% and 40% of your household income. This will include the income of all earning household members.
According to new rules, if you have been selected from the Section 8 lottery application and are moving into to Section 8 housing for the first time or you are moving to a new unit with your Section 8 voucher, you will be charged 40% of your income. If you have been living in Section 8 for a while, your rent was probably calculated originally at 30% of your income.

Your rent can only be increased upon the anniversary date of your move-in and after you have been re-certified and re-inspected; and you must be given proper notice (in most cases, 30 days). There are only a few specific reasons why your rent can be raised in Section 8 housing: Your income has increased or
there has been a reduction in the Housing Authority's payment standard. Each year the amount that the Housing Authority pays for each unit changes. When the amount is lowered, you will be asked to pay more in order to make up the difference between what the housing Authority pays and what the landlord charges. You must be given 90 days notice when you are given this type of rent increase.

The only time you can be legally required to pay more than 40% of your income for rent after completing a Section 8 housing application form and becoming a tenant, is when the Payment Standard is reduced while you are renting with a voucher.

What this means is that the Housing Authority gives less towards your rent. Since the "contract rent" or what your landlord charges overall stays the same, you are required to pay more in order to make up the difference. This can only happen at your anniversary date and you must be given 90 days notice for this type of increase.

Housing subsidies are government financial assistance to help provide housing. The largest housing subsidy in the US is the home mortgage interest deduction, which allows homeowners with mortgages on first homes, second homes, and even boats with bathrooms to lower their taxes owed. The cost to the federal government of the mortgage interest deductions in 2012 was approximately $110 billion. Some states also have the mortgage interest deduction provision. The majority of the home mortgage interest deduction goes to the top 5% income earners in the United States. Some housing subsidies are also provided to low income tenants in renting housing. These subsidies are often defined by whether the subsidy is given to the landlord and then criteria are set for the tenants they can lease to or whether the subsidy is given to the tenant, typically as a voucher, and they are allowed to find suitable private housing. The subsidy amount is typically based on the tenant's income, usually the difference between the rent and 30% of the tenant's gross income, but other formulas have been used.

In rare cases a financial institution or non-profit organization will provide mortgage loans at rates that are not profitable for the sake of a specific group. In Canada one such organization is Non-Profit Housing Subsidies Canada which provides subsidized mortgage loans to employees and volunteers of other non-profit organizations.

How does a Section 8 waiting list work?

When your name is reached on the waiting list and you are issued a Section 8 Voucher, you will be required to reside in the jurisdiction of that Housing Authority for one year before transferring to another Housing Authority.
Once you are on the Section 8 Waiting List, it is important to notify the Housing Authority in writing when your mailing address changes. If mail that has been sent to you is returned to the Housing Authority by the Post Office, your name will be removed from the Waiting List. All notifications of address changes must be on the Section 8 Waiting List Update Form. When the change has been made, the Housing Authority will send you a confirmation letter stating that the change was made.
The Housing Authority is unable to estimate how long you will have to wait for assistance due to the length of the Section 8 Waiting List and the slow turnover in the housing assistance programs.
When your name reaches the top of the Waiting List you will be asked to submit necessary documentation to determine your eligibility for assistance. After all paperwork is received and you are determined eligible, you will be asked to attend a program briefing. At the briefing you will be issued a Housing Choice Voucher and you will be able to start your search for Section 8 housing.

When can I find an open Section 8 waiting list and apply for Section 8 online?

Section 8 and Public housing are Section 8 rental assistance programs funded by HUD. Applications are always free. If you are of low income, over 18 and a citizen of the United States, applying for Section 8 could mean receiving a rental assistance voucher. Find out if you qualify and where to apply for Section 8. The Online Packet is provided by a private entity and has no affiliation with HUD or the Federal government.